Once the initial shock has worn off, most people experience a wave of different emotions and responses after a trauma. If you experienced a trauma directly, the reactions may be more profound and continue for a longer period of time. Certain people may have the memory of trauma for the rest of their lives. There is growing evidence that there is an epigenetic* component to trauma. Recent research indicates: "the impact of traumatic experiences may be epigenetically inherited via molecular memory that is passed down through generations." The impact trauma has on an individual, groups of individuals or a nation, can never be predicted fully by others. There are classic signs of post trauma reactions, but like our fingerprints, voice prints and biometrics, each one of us is unique.

After actions are taken to ensure people are safe, have their wounds and injuries attended, have shelter, clean water, get adequate food and rest; history, case studies (and first hand personal experience) demonstrate that for a period of time after trauma is experienced, it is best not to make any decisions which have long term consequences. This is because emotions and neuro-physiological changes are still happening in the body, mind and spirit. Reactions may still be based on these responses rather than rational analysis. Causation may not be clear yet. In events involving crime and criminals-the evidence needs to be sorted and leads accurately followed. Investigation takes time. Healing takes time. The impulse to rush may result in significant harm later to individuals, families, communities and even nations. Case in point recently...New Zealand/Aotearoa.

"Skrit" 1893 (The Scream) by Norwegian artist, Edvard Munch 1863-1944

The impulsive mainstream media outlets in most parts of the world circle like vultures over the carrion of a mass casualty 'event'. They salivate over 'tragedy', outpouring of blood, emotion and horror. They heighten irrational response 'triggers' and headline photos/videos designed for click bait, not for 'truth' or illumination. They rush in to be 'the first' or 'the exclusive' reporters, story tellers or announcers. Depending on who their owner companies are, and who sponsors them, they may deliberately omit or emphasize certain aspects of a traumatic event to elicit 'shock' and accelerate the appetite for 'information' from their 'sources'. This generates more interest and of course, income. This may also be part of a design to socially engineer the public to a conclusion they have already scripted in advance for agendas that were previously difficult to pass through other less dramatic means such as legislation, rule of law, consensus building under normal circumstances, over a longer period of time for reflection. Consider alternative perspectives based on research and not knee-jerk reactions:disobedientmedia.com/2019/03/evidence-indicates-link-between-north-korean-embassy-break-in-and-christchurch-attacks/

Consider how quickly the following new laws and punishments have been implemented in New Zealand in less than a week.

It is now a punishable offense to simply view, upload and share videos of the 'event'. People have already been charged and arrested. "New Zealand authoritieshave arrested an 18-year old man {boy} for sharing the video of a recent terrorist attack that took place in Christchurch, New Zealand. The arrested person has been charged with counts such as distributing the hateful video and for encouraging violence. He reportedly uploaded a picture of one of the mosques that were a part of the March 15 terrorist attacks, According to a report by Reuters, this man is now facing up to approximately 28 years in prison." arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/03/new-zealand-men-could-get-14-years-for-sharing-massacre-video/

The New Zealand Prime Minister, Ms. Jacinda Ardern wore a 'headscarf' in public and urged women to wear 'headscarves' officially ("Wear a Headscarf on Friday") as a sign of solidarity and sympathy with Muslim victims-even though thousands of actual Muslim women in many parts of the world, registered their disapproval of such an act and urged the Prime Minister, Ms. Jacinda Ardern not to wear or encourage the headscarf or any form of 'hijab' Ms. Ardern did not listen or acknowledge their pleas. She went ahead with media displaying her with a 'hijab' on and urging other New Zealand women to wear a scarf as they went about their work and daily activities on Friday. thelibertarianrepublic.com/new-zealand-muslim-attack-reporters-wear-hijab/

New Zealand's largest bookstore has just "banned" Canadian author, academic and podcaster, Dr. Jordan Peterson's best selling book, "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" simply because he posed in a photo with a man wearing a T-shirt saying, "I'm an Islamaphobe". 'Most Twitter users have, meanwhile, lashed out at Whitcoulls over its decision to ban Peterson’s book, with some recalling that while "The 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" was pulled off the shelves, Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf", is still available for sale.' www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/21/jordan-b-petersons-12-rules-for-life-pulled-from-n/​​

​However, what world news media companies fail to report is that not all groups in New Zealand/Aotearoa agree with the Prime Minister's remarks, her rush or blame tactics. A number of elders from different 'tribes/iwi' have spoken out. They point to the Indigenous history of Maori and the bloody conflicts and attacks by the pakeha (non-Maori) which resulted in very "dark days" and "terror events" with many Maori people killed, imprisoned unjustly as well as the blatant racism throughout New Zealand's history. www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2019/03/21/some-maori-leaders-reject-nz-pms-not-us-line

They rightly focus on the "Maori" culture and tradition as the appropriate way for Aotearoa/New Zealand to address the "wounds" and healing with their own, (unique to New Zealand), rituals. Maori ceremonies have been ways to mend and express grief and the myriad emotions which accompany trauma, for many centuries. They are happening at present, and will continue these time honored rites in Aotearoa/New Zealand. No Maori forces others to participate in their ceremonies or karakia (prayers). www.nbcnews.com/news/world/new-zealand-shootings-haka-ring-out-country-copes-trauma-n985301

Maori warriors from "Uncle Eddy's Theory" corner online

Rituals, prayers/karakias, hakas - in point of fact - are ceremonies strict Muslims and Islam would consider as those of/for the "infidels" and not accept. Nor would Muslims, Imams (their religious leaders) accept the customary bare skin by men in public performing these rituals and traditions, karakias. Sharia law would outlaw these practices with severe punitive actions. Just bear this all in mind when witnessing the open "embrace" of Islam the current Prime Minister is pushing on her citizens, and the disturbing censorship and harsh prison sentences she is instituting in a supposedly "free and democratic" socialist country.

It appears the Prime Minister-also a new, first time mother-has let her personal emotions and agendas tip the balance so needed in such a time, after such an attack. Perhaps she is also pressured from outside influencers and power players we do not yet know about. Leadership requires grace under pressure, and the ability to detach from personal impulsive reactions for "the greater good".

Decision making in crisis requires an ability to view the entire circumstances/situation clearly. More facts have already come out about that particular mosque (Al Noor) 'radicalizing' children and adults for years- but these are being suppressed. Here is an article and video you need to read/see: www.tr.news/revealed-terrorists-radicalised-at-the-christchurch-mosque/

Knowing exactly what has actually happened, both causation and correlation, can support the constructive steps to move forward while keeping the culture, the mission and the traditions of a family, community and/or country...intact. Compromising or losing these traditions, language, culture and missions built up over centuries, would certainly be a tragic loss with far more negative long term consequences, reaching all the people of the islands of New Zealand/Aotearoa/Te Waipounamu then causing a ripple affect on the rest of the onlooking, ever more interconnected, world. For a weaving of North American history and Maori prophecy - their history of resistance, including targeted attacks on Maori leader Rua Kenana; please read (or re-read) my post from back in November 2018:www.jopatti.com/blog/forewarnings

To use an English maxim, remember: "Haste Makes Waste". In Maori:-Kia Manawanui (have patience), Kia Kaha (be strong or become stronger). Let's wait and see what investigations reveal.

I am including a video of the New Zealand/Aotearoa national anthem sung in both Maori and English. The spiritual foundation of this country is clearly and bravely stated here. "God Defend New Zealand" is the title. Please listen carefully to the lyrics and enjoy the music. This is a country known for their melodies, beautiful singers and dancers. May the culture, traditions and ceremonies continue in strength and harmony.

There are times in the life of an individual, a family, a community and a country, where events happen which transform the emotional and physical landscapes and possibly even the culture, thereafter. We often do not realize the change until years or decades after such events, however there are instances where it is evident a tectonic shift is happening at the time events take place. Deep down we realize "things will never be the same", they are the signs and points of no return.

Response to Fukishima Daiichi Nuclear plant disaster 2011, Japan

In the past twenty years we can look to the September 11, 2001 "attack" in New York, USA; the introduction of "smartphones" and "apps" in 2009, (initially from the US based Apple company) the earthquake, tsunami, and Fukishima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011, Japan; the rise of ISIS/Daesh terrorist group and the fall of Mosul and other areas of Iraq in 2013, ​South and North Korea agreeing in 2018, to officially end the war which began in 1950; and I believe the live streaming on social media of a terrorist attack on the peaceful south island city of Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019, (after the years of earthquakes, destruction and upheaval) - will be seen as another turning point for their nation, their citizens and for the world.

This tragic event in Christchurch will be unraveled and scrutinized more than previously. There will be international triangulation of what is reported, social media and the companies involved may even be taken to court (for once) and bias in main stream media initial reports and characterizations will be exposed. Seeming unrelated persons and movements will be linked and explored. The rabbit holes and warrens will be unearthed in a pivot that hopefully will shake awake more and more people. The "sleepy" south island will see this new nightmare for what is was/is. The world will be involved in the small population of Aotearoa/New Zealand and specifically Te Waipounamu (Maori for south island), to a greater extent. One could view this as the beginning of a journey to complete disarmament, censorship www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-03-17/22-year-old-new-zealand-man-appear-court-sharing-mosque-attack-video and the reason given by governments for installing 5G and more surveillance in public places, in cars (see link-www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/china-using-computerised-cars-to-track-its-citizens-movements-habits/news-story/c6d60fc61022b815ca3a44005249c98b) and in private places of worship. Questions will be posed which could not be dared in other mass shootings, such as in Las Vegas, USA (2017) or the Aurora movie theatre shooting in Colorado (2012) or even the 1996, Port Arthur, Tasmania mass shooting which resulted in banning firearms in Australia. Be alert to the changes proposed and connect the dots between relationships, vested interests and multinational agendas and who "benefits". (see links below for more details)

There are some brave investigative journalists and writers from Oceania who have reported and predicted accurately. Above is one book from New Zealand based Ben C. Vidgen, I recommend. Here is an article he wrote back in the mid 1990s-a fascinating, prescient and cogent read entitled: "A State of Terror" whale.to/a/vidgen.html

On a personal note, many of you may also have experienced points of no return in your own life. You may be aware at the time if you are the victim of violence, if the sudden death of a loved one or ones happens, if you are forced to leave your home and even your country never to return, if you have a terminal illness, lose your job or have a spiritual awakening. You may have personal landmarks which signal you to "move forward" and not look back, not return. Above all, remember these are re-directions where you still do have an element of choice.

As long as you are alive, reasonably healthy and able to think-you have the capacity to keep exploring, fighting for "truth" and adapting to the changes you have to create or which have been created for you. We still have the ability to be the "candle flames" to light the way to the next step on our paths and to see the tasks ahead no matter how daunting they may appear. When the consequences are worth it, the odds against us are never too great.

I close this post with a waita (song) I happen to find by chance this evening. I had never seen this specific video before which includes my former "boss" and the son of the elder who adopted my children and I into the "Ngati Kahungunu iwi" back in 1990. Seeing (Te Mate) Tama Huata and other family members in the same rehearsal room where I worked for years with them, where both my children were in the kohanga and then running around the rehearsal hall, moved me to tears. Māori discourage people from concealing their emotions. It is regarded as therapeutic for all who participate to feel comfortable expressing their grief openly.

However, here at Yun Tai and in China, tears-especially in public-are actively discouraged.

Tangi A Te Ruru (translated into English) and sung by Kahurangi National Maori Dance members and whanau (family)-our extended whanau in Hawkes Bay, north island. My sympathy for all whanau and all who suffer from this recent wound on Aotearoa.www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdn_qCvnz6M

"The cry of the morepork keeps coming back to me. It is hooting out there where the paths meet. I was the one who allowed you to go. It was curbed, my deep love for you

But now the formal return home; greetings to you,How my heart weeps with joy. Still standing tall is the prestige and the enchantment of the ancestors who have passed on. Bring back the true spirit of the people to help heal the survivor crying like a slave (with loneliness)and searching for the true path for us all.

Te Hokinga Mai! Te Hokinga Mai! Stand tall!

May your grief be eased and joy and good health return.Hope to see many of you over there soon when I do my hoki mai in May.

Whether dreaming or awake, our subconscious and our connection to the universe are always present although we may never be aware of either, during our limited lifetime in our physical bodies. Throughout pictorial and written human history, dating back tens of thousands of years, there are records of human beings having 'lifted the veil' between the seeming reality of daily life, the passage of death and communication with the 'spirit world'. All major religions speak of a prophet or 'holy' man or woman, who was able to transcend earth and listen to 'God', or the angels or spirits bringing messages to their tribe, their kingdom, their family or just to themselves.

You may remember some of the stories of Joseph, one of Jacob's 12 son's who had a special gift of dreaming and prophecy but the obstacle of his own siblings being terribly jealous of him and all the suffering that caused for Joseph. You may not be familiar with the prophetic writings, art and music of the Catholic nun and mystic Hildegard of Bingen of Germany (see links in references) or of Black Elk of the Lakota, or Valentin Rasputin of Russia-but all had a proven gift of "sight" into future events and all were healers of considerable influence in their time.

There are many paths to reach an altered consciousness and refine the gift of "sight". Deep meditation and breathing, continual special prayers and chanting, ingesting specific herbs, trance inducing dance and music, can facilitate crossing thresholds. Certain drugs and traumatic shock can cause an individual to be propelled into another "world" or find her/himself "between worlds", seeing both their usual 'reality' and other dimensions; having their 'third eye'* opened. www.chakras.info/third-eye-chakra/

In my life I have had numerous "between world" experiences. At first, when I was a child, I wasn't conscious this was what they were but fortunately I had a very wise and psychic paternal grandmother who helped me understand not to be afraid of such 'visitations'. Often children who are abused physically, sexually, emotionally and who witness violence or abuse, will excarnate from their bodies to cope as well as compartmentalize the events they see. They do so automatically in order to keep their mind and spirit protected and functioning.

Excarnation feels as if you are leaping out of your body. At times I would see things happening as if I was on the ceiling or be very tiny in a hidden corner of the room. My physical body was still at the same place, but my mind and spirit were elsewhere. The western neurological/medical/psychiatric description and label is "dissociation", but many other healing traditions report and treat this differently-with great success. www.omicsonline.org/trauma-and-dissociation-neurological-and-spiritual-perspectives-2161-0487.1000116.php?aid=12096"Dissociation is viewed as an opportunity for the traumatized person to reclaim the soul parts and to experience a tremendous feeling of healing and wholeness. In Shamanic cultures, it is believed that during dissociation the spirit helpers place the traumatized person in an altered state. In this trance-like state, the person witnesses the soul part or parts in their frozen state. With the assistance of spiritual guides and helpers, the soul parts are removed from the trauma scene, taken to a safe place, offered a healing, and then reintegrated back into the larger and now more complete and whole soul."This happened to me at times when I was in locations where extreme violence was all around me, as well as when I was attacked and hit by a car. During the time I was unconscious because of injuries, I could still "see" myself and also a continuum of time and events into the future. bostonintuitive.com/2016/05/16/can-trauma-induce-psychic-awareness/

My training at Georgetown University helped me refine my skills in order to be able to "excarnate" and compartmentalize of my own volition. Later, I learned how to integrate these coping mechanisms, albeit with very painful memories and physical symptoms. These powerful electric like experiences could be "grounded".

Yet another way to "travel between worlds" is in ceremony. Being a Sundancer, (WiWayang Wacipi in Lakota) for many years involved learning the language of traditional prayers, the protocols of the Inipi (sweat lodge) and learning the discipline of preparation, complete fasting and extreme physical exertion and concentration. These ceremonies are unique to certain Native American tribes. These ways have been used for thousands of years to help Medicine people with tools to help more people heal. Often in the times before, during and after Sundance, messages are revealed. Sometimes you need help to interpret those messages. Sometimes they are crystal clear. When you try to transmit what you have received you may be hit hard with disbelief, denial and accusations from others, but over time you will know if the message is/was true/valid. Most people will have no clue what you, (or I right now) are speaking about. Here is a short documentary to introduce some aspects of Sundancing to you if you do not know what the actual ceremony is about: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK4fCv5ekzI

This week we were introduced to new music while performing simple Qigong and Tai Chi movement exercises. One piece seeped into my heart and spirit. I saw a number of images while doing the exercises. The music keeps playing inside me at various times of the day and night. I found it online and remarkably, the video made to this music had a few of the same images I created in my own mind. The only difference was that the "boy" in my mind was my son, Denali when he was younger and the boy in the video (click on link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulh3l_DWcdQ) is someone different. The title of the musical piece is: "Between Worlds" by Roger Subirana of Spain.

We went into the mountains on Saturday (March 9), and again I heard the music and then "saw" scenes somewhere far from here. Maybe in the present, maybe in the future...this is not an exact science so I am not sure of the meaning yet. However, I decided to be brave and write about this realm of experience.

Words are so inadequate to try and describe the sensations and "scenes" but I am making an effort for those of you who may know/experience this, too. I say "brave" because those who do not, or will never know of "between worlds", will call you (have jeered at me) "crazy" or "delusional" or "ridiculous", etc. In addition to my personal "sight" I have become familiar with over many decades, I have an additional transporting feeling since my son's death in 2013, of being between holding his hand in the skies (heaven) and holding my daughter's hand on earth. I am floating between the two. In the floating space sometimes I "see" people, events, places far away as if from a hawk eye's view. I breathe through these glimpses of another "world" and try to remain calm, peering in as long as I can before these "scenes" fade. Often in a daydream on planes, when I have a window seat and look out at the clouds-suddenly I am in the clouds in a vast skyscape. It is different than imagining-it is a type of "travelling" while I am on transport. It would be such a balm to meet others who have similar experiences/sensations/gifts. The few I used to speak to about these phenomenon have now crossed the threshold. They are no longer on the physical plane in human form. It does get lonely at times. Maybe you can relate? "...parallel but separate views of dissociation emerge from two distinct paradigms for managing the symptoms and for healing the dissociative responses. The psychotherapist trained solely in Western methods of helping focuses on the application of strategies to mainly gain the attention of the brain’s left hemisphere and thereby attempts to heal the cognitive mind. The traditional Shaman, and the therapist trained in spiritual healing practices believe the soul, like the body, has self-healing capabilities and offers strategies to assist the soul in reclaiming its wholeness. To combine the methodologies from these two distinct world views is to offer the trauma client an approach aimed at healing body, mind and spirit." www.omicsonline.org/trauma-and-dissociation-neurological-and-spiritual-perspectives-2161-0487.1000116.php?aid=12096My dear "Aunties" Jesse, Phoebe and Bea-Gumbaynngirr elder women in Australia, counselled me years ago to go to the "waters" to communicate with them and with the "old fellas" if I was ever stuck or confused about what to do...my next step in life. This past summer swimming in the aquamarine Mediterranean sea off the coast of Malta, I remembered their advice. While snorkeling I had an other worldly "vision" of what was coming to me and the path toward Yun Tai mountain, where I was this past weekend. In an earthbound sense I am between the Eastern and Western 'worlds' continually here in Henan province, China.

There is a branch of Traditional Chinese medicine and Shaolin practice which also involves deep understanding of "spiritual" aspects of healing. They apply certain acupuncture points, Qigong movements and meditations for protocols to ease the effects of most human conditions including of: "mad and/or hungry ghosts" plaguing an individual, ancestral grief, aphasia and "spirits out of the gates" or ex-carnation/dissociation. It is a pity and a waste of knowledge that western medicine/science is most often skeptical, chauvinistic and dismissive of more ancient traditions. There are/were some "famous" Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors and Shaolin healers who could "see" into a patient's body to determine the ailment/illness. This is without the use of any technology such as MRIs, X-rays, ultrasound, etc. Watch this short video for some "uses" of certain skills by the US and former Soviet Union. www.youtube.com/watch?v=67vx9dK3irI​Non-acknowledgement of forces greater than human beings leads to very narrow perspectives and diagnosis, in my opinion.

Few bridges between the two spheres of thought and practice have been crossed, however there are more people who are opening their minds to the possibility, than before. This is a promising start. From my first person viewpoint, healing continues wherever I may be and progresses with my years on Earth. The merging of my western, eastern, Indigenous and allopathic treatments continues over time. Plasticity in our brains means we can "re-wire" if we choose to do the hard work required to re-orient our thinking. Habits can be re-directed. Our spirits are resilient if we nurture them.

We all will eventually cross from this world to the next. For the time being, I am exploring this space "between worlds" which is the title of the beautiful, ethereal composition by Roger Subirana Mata, shared twice in this week's post.

May you and your loved ones continue in "good health"! May those of you who know what travelling between worlds is...please feel free to comment and contact me.

From Yun Tai mountain,

Jo*Including another link to "Between Worlds" by Roger Subirana-same music different video images-for your double enjoyment

The type of power used to attract, co-opt and persuade rather than coerce or threaten has been labelled "soft power" in contrast to "hard" power associated with martial actions and military industrial complex (MIC) type strategies. There is also a "meta power" in the gray area between hard and soft power which may shape relationships, shift power balances by altering the matrix of possibilities, removing certain "actors" in a society or political system, changing orientation and spheres of influence by various covert and overt means. Meta power is very important prior to entering into negotiations on major issues, for example. The skillful application of meta power enhances "soft power positions" and even "hard power" drives. Presenting a formidable image can change perceptions, shift allegiances and reinforce a nation's defenses without having to invest in any additional weapons systems or bolster their armed forces.

The context and environment in which meta power and soft power are used can also be interpreted differently by the states involved and the global actors outside the area of operations. Humanitarian aid, economic support, cultural enrichment projects and training/advising programs could be viewed as "soft" by the initiators but end up being vehicles for "hard power" and coercion over the recipients - examples would be forced vaccination programs, food for schools with a condition of implementing foreign curriculum, providing infrastructure in exchange for data access, providing "free" clinics where patients records are used to later identify the best candidates for organ harvesting and experimentation, introducing new arts and entertainment which are powerful propaganda channels, and so forth. Do any of you remember the American strategy for "winning hearts and minds" in Vietnam? That was supposed to be an application of "soft power"-appealing with American ideals of democracy and capitalism-as opposed to the imposition of communism. 'Winning Hearts and Minds' did not turn out well for either the Vietnamese or the Americans.

​Peace Corps, American councils and many American based non-governmental agencies (NGOs) are certainly "soft power initiatives" which work with other departments and agencies involved in diplomatic and/or hard power options. It did seem strange to me that in 2015, over 400 Peace Corps and Peace Corps Response professionals were assigned to Ukraine - when countries suffering from desperate poverty, lack of education and basic essentials with larger populations in Africa, had less than half that number. What was the real agenda for loading Ukraine with numerous USAID, Peace Corps programs? Think "disruption" under the policies of Clinton/Kerry as Secretaries of State and Victoria Nuland's heavy hand tactics. "USAID co-investing with Omidyar Network in Ukraine NGOs that organized and led the Maidan revolution in Kiev, resulting in the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych."pando.com/2014/04/08/the-murderous-history-of-usaid-the-us-government-agency-behind-cubas-fake-twitter-clone/Language and culture programs offered for "free" (paid for with American taxpayer money) by the US government are a creeping soft power enterprise in many countries as are IT projects-"Teach Girls in Afghanistan to Code" is one currently funded initiative. New textbooks programs for Afghanistan, received over $791 Million dollars from 2015-2017. Access programs funded by the US Department of State and iLearn/Earn programs in Pakistan, were aimed at reaching over one million high schools students at a cost of over $21 Million dollars to the US taxpayer, and continue to this day. www.cgdev.org/page/aid-pakistan-numberwww.concernusa.org/story/foreign-aid-by-country-getting-how-much/

China provides a similar array of soft power invasive tools in the language, culture and education sectors in the form of "Confucius Institutes". Are you aware of how many of these institutes are in universities across the world in 2019? See this article with a chart and map for details:www.digmandarin.com/confucius-institutes-around-the-world.htmlFor the United States, here are the current statistics: "As of February 2019, [National Association of Scholars) NAS counts a total of 104 Confucius Institutes in the United States. We identify 97 Confucius Institutes at American colleges and universities. We also identify 1 Confucius Institute at a private educational organization, the China Institute, and 6 Confucius Institutes at K-12 public school districts. Confucius Institutes may function as “an arm of Chinese ‘soft power’ and propaganda, aimed at promoting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s propaganda and stifling its critics around the world.”americandigitalnews.com/index.php/2019/03/02/confucius-institute-chinas-impact-on-u-s-education/www.nas.org/articles/criticizing_confucius_institutes

Have you considered the media buy in China has succeeded with controlling in the USA? It's not just the AMC theatre chain, Legendary Entertainment or Dick Clark productions; China owns the Waldorf Astoria and Four Seasons hotel chains, Motorola, theme parks, sports teams, banks, food chains, Forbes magazine, General Electric Appliances-here are others in the articles linked below: www.thewrap.com/hollywood-companies-owned-by-china/fortune.com/2016/03/18/the-biggest-american-companies-now-owned-by-the-chinese/What about China's "humanitarian aid and loan" programs as examples of soft power mission creep? Let's look at the African continent to start. According to a number of studies and articles, "African countries generally attach greater hopes to the Chinese arriving with primarily commercial and investment purposes than the developed countries intervening in humanitarian and security terms. [and possible exploitation of their natural resources] According to the public opinion researches conducted in the countries of the continent, the African aspects of the soft power function efficiently. The number of African inhabitants having a positive opinion of China is close to the number of people who like the United States." www.geopolitika.hu/en/2018/02/08/chinese-soft-power-in-the-developing-countries-africa/

China continues to give aid, no interest loans and education/health programs to 51 countries in Africa, 30 countries in Asia and 20 countries (including Venezuela) in South America. Did you know that "China is Venezuela’s biggest foreign creditor. Since 2014, China lent approximately $60 billion to Venezuela in opaque deals, the details of which were mostly not made public? Nor did the National congress approve the loans. The debt was mostly to be repaid in oil, and if other restructured China debt is any indication, debt payments will value that oil at below market rates. China received, in return, preferential access to infrastructure and factory deals and market access for about $6 billion per year in Chinese consumer goods. Venezuela became China’s strongest ally in Latin America. China’s loans to Venezuela have included regular infusions of $2 to $5 billion as Venezuela needed it with the drop in oil prices. $20 billion in loan repayments were softened."www.forbes.com/sites/anderscorr/2017/04/21/remove-maduro-and-china-send-80-billion-in-emergency-aid-to-venezuela/#7ed3df392a2f

Chinese media-all government run-continues to blitz the world with announcements of their "advanced" scientific, medical, IT, infrastructure achievements and ambitions. This is in part to counter the perception that Chinese made goods, buildings, materials and research is "cheap", not original and not up to western standards. Which more often than not is true. https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-infrastructure-projects-reshaping-the-world-2017-1

Whether to permit the "soft power" of Confucius "Institutes" in the USA to continue and for the Chinese media outlets and Chinese investment to remain unfettered in the USA, are important questions to consider, especially if policy makers and security experts decide a counter move is necessary. Yes, there are tough decisions ahead especially in light of the upcoming summit between American President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Junping. Keep alert.